North Korea determined to denuclearize: president

Director of National Security Chung Eui-yong, the head of President Moon Jae-in’s team of special envoys, delivers a letter from President Moon to North Korea’s Chairman of State Affairs Kim Jong Un, in Pyeongyang on Sept. 5.

By Kim Young Shin and Hahm Hee-eun
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

The two Koreas have agreed to hold a third inter-Korean summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korea’s Chairman of State Affairs Kim Jong Un. It will be held from Sept. 18 to 20 in Pyeongyang. In particular, Chairman Kim reaffirmed his commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and said that North Korea would work closely together with both South Korea and the U.S. to accomplish that goal. The two sides also agreed to open a joint liaison office at the Gaesong Industrial Complex before the summit in Pyeongyang.

Director of National Security Chung Eui-yong, who led President Moon Jae-in’s team of special envoys to Pyeongyang, held a press conference in Seoul on Sept. 6 where he shared with the public the matters agreed upon between the two Koreas.

Chung said, “During the upcoming inter-Korean summit, we came to an agreement that we would examine the outcome of the implementation of the Panmunjeom Declaration, and confirm how to push the declaration going forward. The discussions at the summit will also be centered on issues concerning the permanent settlement of peace and common prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, as well as, in particular, practical measures to realize denuclearization on the peninsula.”

President Moon Jae-in’s special envoys and Chairman of State Affairs Kim Jong Un discuss the schedule for the inter-Korean summit, prospects for the inter-Korean relationship, and steps toward denuclearization, in Pyeongyang on Sept. 5.

He further stated that, “The two sides also agreed to continue to make progress on the ongoing inter-Korean talks to ease military tension and decided to reach an agreement at the inter-Korean summit on concrete plans to establish mutual trust and to prevent military clashes.“ Moreover, he added that, “South and North Korea agreed to open a joint liaison office with resident representatives from both sides before the summit.”

Finally, he emphasized that, “South and North Korea will make additional substantive progress on further developing the inter-Korean relationship, denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and settling peace, by making consistent endeavors, with patience, going forward.”

In order to prepare for the upcoming inter-Korean summit, working-level meetings concerning protocol, guards, communication and the press will take place in Panmunjeom early next week.